amoral
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C1 adjective /ˌeɪˈmɔːrəl/

amoral

Meaning
Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with rightness or wrongness of something.
Example
The character in the novel was portrayed as completely amoral.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd/

understated

Meaning
Presented in a subtle and restrained way.
Example
She wore an elegant but understated dress.
C1 noun /ˈpɛndjələm/

pendulum

Meaning
A weight suspended from a pivot so that it swings freely, often used to regulate clocks.
Example
The pendulum swung back and forth inside the clock.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈruːli/

Unruly

Meaning
difficult to control or manage; disorderly and disruptive
Example
The unruly crowd refused to follow the safety instructions.
C1 verb /kənˈsɛptʃuəlaɪz/

conceptualize

Meaning
to form an idea or concept of something in your mind
Example
The artist conceptualized a new design for the exhibition.
C1 adjective /ˈfeɪl.seɪf/

fail-safe

Meaning
designed to prevent failure or accidents; guaranteed to work correctly
Example
The engineers installed a fail-safe mechanism in the nuclear plant.
C1 adjective /ɪˈspeʃəl/

especial

Meaning
Particularly remarkable or significant; distinguished from others
Example
This is an especial opportunity you should not miss.
C1 noun /speɪt/

spate

Meaning
a large number of things occurring in quick succession
Example
There has been a spate of robberies in the city.
C1 noun /ˈrʌmpəs/

Rumpus

Meaning
a noisy disturbance; an uproar or commotion
Example
The children caused quite a rumpus in the playground.
C1 noun ˈfɔː.saɪt

foresight

Meaning
The ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future.
Example
His foresight helped the company avoid financial losses.
C1 noun /məˈleɪz/

malaise

Meaning
a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify
Example
After the long journey, she felt a general malaise.
C1 noun /ˌɑːr.kəˈpɛl.əˌɡoʊ/

archipelago

Meaning
A group of islands clustered together in a body of water.
Example
Indonesia is an archipelago with thousands of islands.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
C1 verb /bɪˈhoʊld/

behold

Meaning
to see or observe something, especially something remarkable or impressive
Example
She stood quietly to behold the sunrise over the hills.
C1 verb /ˈɑːrbɪtreɪt/

arbitrate

Meaning
to settle a dispute between two parties by acting as an impartial judge
Example
The committee agreed to arbitrate the contract dispute.
C1 noun /ˈoʊvərˌtoʊn/

overtone

Meaning
A subtle quality, implication, or additional meaning beyond the obvious.
Example
His speech had political overtones that were hard to ignore.
C1 noun /ɡəˈrɪlə/

guerrilla

Meaning
a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger forces
Example
The guerrilla fighters used ambushes to attack enemy positions.
C1 noun rɪˈfaɪnmənt

refinement

Meaning
The process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Example
His manners showed a refinement that made him stand out in any crowd.
C1 adjective /ˌdɪktəˈtɔːriəl/

dictatorial

Meaning
Having or showing a tendency to tell people what to do in an autocratic way.
Example
His dictatorial style made him unpopular among colleagues.
C1 noun /ˌkɒn.əˈsɜːr/

connoisseur

Meaning
an expert judge in matters of taste, especially in food, art, or wine
Example
She is a true connoisseur of fine art.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/

self-righteous

Meaning
Having or showing an attitude of moral superiority; believing one’s own beliefs are the only right ones.
Example
His self-righteous comments made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 noun /ˈɪnˌmeɪt/

inmate

Meaning
a person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital
Example
The prison has over a thousand inmates.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ər.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

liberalization

Meaning
The removal or loosening of restrictions on something, typically an economic or political system.
Example
The liberalization of trade policies attracted foreign investments.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɛntrɪk/

concentric

Meaning
having a common center, as in circles or spheres
Example
The artist drew concentric circles on the canvas.
C1 verb /lɜːrk/

lurk

Meaning
to remain hidden so as to wait for an opportunity to attack or observe
Example
A stranger lurked in the shadows.
C1 noun /ˈpəʊstˌskrɪpt/

postscript

Meaning
an additional remark at the end of a letter or text, after the signature
Example
She added a brief postscript to thank him again.
C1 adjective /ˈplʌk.i/

plucky

Meaning
having or showing courage and determination
Example
The plucky child rescued the kitten from the tree.
C1 adjective /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

Biting

Meaning
extremely cold; sharply critical or harsh
Example
The biting cold made everyone shiver.
C1 noun /twɪt/

Twit

Meaning
a silly or foolish person; to tease or make fun of someone
Example
Don't be such a twit and listen carefully.
C1 adjective /ˈʌpərˌmoʊst/

uppermost

Meaning
situated at the highest place or most important
Example
Her family's safety was uppermost in her mind during the crisis.
C1 noun /mɜːrθ/

mirth

Meaning
Great joy, amusement, or laughter.
Example
The festival was full of mirth and laughter.
C1 adjective /ˈkʌlpəbl̩/

culpable

Meaning
deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing
Example
The judge found him culpable for the accident.
C1 noun /ɪɡˌzɪl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

exhilaration

Meaning
A feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation.
Example
The feeling of exhilaration after a roller-coaster ride is amazing.
C1 adjective /ˌtræn.senˈdɛn.təl/

transcendental

Meaning
relating to the spiritual or non-physical realm; surpassing ordinary experience
Example
Meditation can lead to transcendental experiences.
C1 adjective /ˈpælpəbl̩/

palpable

Meaning
easily perceived or felt; so intense as to seem almost tangible
Example
There was a palpable sense of excitement in the room.
C1 adjective ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəli sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt

agriculturally significant

Meaning
Important or crucial related to farming and agriculture
Example
Winter is agriculturally significant for crop production.
C1 verb /diːm/

deem

Meaning
to regard or consider in a specified way
Example
The project was deemed a success by the board.
C1 noun /ˈdʒɑːr.ɡən/

jargon

Meaning
Specialized or technical language used by a particular group or profession.
Example
The lawyer’s explanation was full of legal jargon.
C1 adjective /ˈkæl.əs/

Callous

Meaning
showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others; emotionally hardened
Example
He showed a callous disregard for others' feelings.
C1 adjective, verb /ɪɡˈzɛmpt/

exempt

Meaning
Free from an obligation or liability imposed on others.
Example
Students with high grades are exempt from the final exam.
C1 verb /ɪˈmɔːrtəlaɪz/

immortalize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of someone or something forever
Example
The statue was built to immortalize the hero’s sacrifice.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ (adjective), /ɪnˈvælɪd/ (noun)

invalid

Meaning
Not valid; having no force or effect. Also refers to a person too weak or ill to care for themselves.
Example
The court declared the contract invalid.
C1 noun /ˈɒfʃuːt/

offshoot

Meaning
A branch or result that develops from something larger or more important.
Example
The startup was an offshoot of a major tech company.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌn.dri/

sundry

Meaning
Various or miscellaneous.
Example
The shop sells fruits, clothes, and sundry items.
C1 noun /bəˈnæn.zə/

Bonanza

Meaning
a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits
Example
The oil discovery was a bonanza for the small country.
C1 noun/verb /ˈhɛrəld/

herald

Meaning
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; to announce or signal.
Example
The blooming flowers herald the arrival of spring.
C1 adjective /əbˈdʒek.ʃən.ə.bəl/

Objectionable

Meaning
arousing distaste or opposition; unpleasant or offensive
Example
His objectionable behavior made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 adjective /ˈprevələnt/

Prevalent

Meaning
widespread; existing very commonly; generally occurring
Example
Smoking is still prevalent among teenagers despite health warnings.
C1 adjective /ˈfæn.sɪ.fəl/

fanciful

Meaning
overimaginative, unrealistic, or whimsical
Example
The story was too fanciful to be true.
C1 noun /ˈtæbloʊ/

tableau

Meaning
a striking or artistic scene or arrangement of people or objects, often presented on stage or in art
Example
The actors froze in a tableau that captured the final moment of the play.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsperɪŋ/

Despairing

Meaning
feeling hopeless; in despair
Example
She felt despairing after losing her job.
C1 adjective /ˈperɪɡrɪn/

Peregrine

Meaning
wandering; traveling; migratory
Example
The peregrine falcon is known for its incredible speed.
C1 noun prɪˌsɪp.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən

precipitation

Meaning
Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to or condenses on the ground.
Example
Annual precipitation levels are decreasing.
C1 adjective /ˈlʌʃəs/

luscious

Meaning
deliciously sweet or rich; highly appealing to the senses
Example
She served a luscious chocolate cake.
C1 noun /ˈvælər/

valor

Meaning
Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
Example
The soldier was honored for his valor during the war.
C1 verb/noun /skɒtʃ/

scotch

Meaning
to put an end to something; also a type of whisky
Example
The report scotched the rumors of a merger.
C1 verb /blæntʃ/

blanch

Meaning
to turn pale from shock, fear, or to briefly boil food to remove skin or prepare it
Example
She blanched at the sight of blood.
C1 noun /poʊˈɛt.ɪks/

poetics

Meaning
the study or theory of poetry and its principles
Example
He wrote a book on poetics explaining the art of verse.
C1 verb /ʌnˈmɑːsk/

unmask

Meaning
to remove a mask or covering; to reveal the true identity, nature, or intentions of someone or something
Example
The investigation helped unmask the real culprit behind the crime.
C1 noun /fɪˈnænʃɪər/

financier

Meaning
a person who manages large amounts of money or investments
Example
The financier advised the company on its investments.
C1 noun /maɪm/

Mime

Meaning
A performer who acts without words, using only gestures and body movements
Example
The street mime entertained the crowd with his invisible box routine.
C1 adjective /kwɪər/

Queer

Meaning
strange; unusual; peculiar; odd
Example
The old house had a queer atmosphere that made visitors uncomfortable.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/

Deficiency

Meaning
a lack or shortage of something; inadequacy or insufficiency
Example
The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency in the patient's blood test.
C1 adjective /ˈdʒɑː.rɪŋ/

jarring

Meaning
Striking or shocking in a way that creates a strong contrast or clash.
Example
The sudden loud noise was jarring to everyone in the room.
C1 adjective /tɔːt/

taut

Meaning
stretched or pulled tight; tense
Example
The rope was pulled taut between the two poles.
C1 noun /ˈnoʊmæd/

nomad

Meaning
A person who has no permanent home and moves from place to place.
Example
The desert was once home to nomads who lived by herding animals.
C1 noun /rɪˈvɒl.vər/

Revolver

Meaning
a pistol with revolving chambers enabling several shots to be fired without reloading
Example
The detective drew his revolver from its holster.
C1 verb /ˈræŋɡl̩/

wrangle

Meaning
to argue or dispute noisily or angrily
Example
The two neighbors wrangled over the property line for hours.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

unforeseen

Meaning
Not anticipated or predicted; unexpected.
Example
The project faced unforeseen challenges that delayed its completion.
C1 adjective /dɪˈraɪsɪv/

derisive

Meaning
Expressing contempt or ridicule.
Example
She gave a derisive laugh at his attempt to sing.
C1 verb /ˈdʒɒsl/

jostle

Meaning
to push, elbow, or bump against someone roughly, typically in a crowd
Example
The fans jostled each other to get closer to the stage.
C1 noun /æbˈstrækʃən/

abstraction

Meaning
the process of forming general ideas by removing specific details; an abstract concept or idea
Example
Abstraction allows complex ideas to be represented in a simplified form.
C1 verb /ˈfɛdərət/

federate

Meaning
to unite in a league or federation; to form an alliance
Example
Several states federated to create a stronger union.
C1 noun /kəˈlɪɡrəfi/

calligraphy

Meaning
The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
Example
She took a course to improve her calligraphy skills.
C1 noun /rɔ ˈtɜrmərɪk/

Raw Turmeric

Meaning
fresh unprocessed root of the turmeric plant used as a spice and medicine
Example
Grate raw turmeric into the curry for authentic flavor.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈɪntɪmeɪtɪŋ/

unintimating

Meaning
Not giving a hint or suggestion; not indicating.
Example
His unintimating tone gave no clue of his true feelings.
C1 adjective /klænˈdɛstaɪn/

clandestine

Meaning
kept secret or done secretly, especially for illicit purposes
Example
They held a clandestine meeting late at night.
C1 verb /ɪkˈstɔːrt/

extort

Meaning
to obtain something, especially money, by force, threats, or unfair means
Example
The gang attempted to extort money from local shopkeepers.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɒndənt/

despondent

Meaning
feeling or showing deep hopelessness or discouragement
Example
She felt despondent after losing her job.
C1 noun /ˌæɡ.rəˈveɪ.ʃən/

aggravation

Meaning
The act of making a situation worse or the state of being worsened.
Example
The delay caused great aggravation for the passengers.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈsaɪzd/

undersized

Meaning
Smaller than the usual or expected size.
Example
The undersized puppy struggled to keep up with its siblings.
C1 verb /ˈɡælvənaɪz/

galvanize

Meaning
to shock or excite someone into taking action; to coat iron or steel with a protective layer of zinc
Example
The speech galvanized the crowd into action.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈruːl/

overrule

Meaning
to reject or disallow by exercising one's superior authority; to override a decision
Example
The judge overruled the objection from the defense attorney.
C1 verb /əˈbriːvieɪt/

abbreviate

Meaning
To shorten a word, phrase, or text by leaving out letters or parts.
Example
We often abbreviate 'Doctor' to 'Dr'.
C1 noun /ˌpɒməˈdɔːrəʊ/

pomodoro

Meaning
A time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals.
Example
The Pomodoro technique improves productivity.
C1 adjective /rɪˈtɔːrɪkəl/

rhetorical

Meaning
relating to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing; often a question asked to make a point rather than get an answer
Example
He asked a rhetorical question during the debate.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnəns/

impertinence

Meaning
lack of respect; rudeness
Example
The teacher was shocked by the student's impertinence.
C1 noun ˈoʊʃən əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

ocean acidification

Meaning
The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Example
Ocean acidification is caused by atmospheric CO2 absorption.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪv/

engrave

Meaning
to cut or carve a design, letter, or pattern into a hard surface
Example
The craftsman engraved her name on the silver ring.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.təʊn/

monotone

Meaning
A continuous sound, especially of a person's voice, that does not rise and fall in pitch.
Example
The teacher's monotone made the lecture hard to follow.
C1 adjective /ˈrez.ə.luːt/

Resolute

Meaning
determined; having a firm decision; unwavering
Example
She remained resolute in her decision to pursue her dreams.
C1 adjective /sɑːrˈdɒnɪk/

sardonic

Meaning
Grimly mocking or cynical.
Example
She gave him a sardonic smile after hearing his excuse.
C1 noun /ˌrɛpəˈreɪʃən/

reparation

Meaning
the making of amends for a wrong done by paying money or helping those who were wronged
Example
The government offered reparations to the victims of the conflict.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

micronutrients

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions.
Example
Micronutrients are essential for cellular function.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər hen/

Water hen

Meaning
a waterbird with dark plumage that lives near ponds and wetlands
Example
The water hen swam gracefully across the pond.
C1 verb /aʊtˈlɪv/

outlive

Meaning
to live longer than someone or something else
Example
She outlived all her siblings.
C1 adjective ˈser.ɪ.brəl

cerebral

Meaning
Of the cerebrum of the brain.
Example
Cerebral functions regulate thoughts.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈspiːkəbl/

unspeakable

Meaning
too bad or shocking to be expressed in words
Example
The survivors endured unspeakable horrors during the war.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔː.zəl/

causal

Meaning
relating to or acting as a cause
Example
There is a causal link between smoking and cancer.
C1 noun /rɪˈpen.təns/

Repentance

Meaning
the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
Example
His genuine repentance moved everyone in the courtroom.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈsiːzənd/

seasoned

Meaning
Experienced in a particular activity; also, flavored with spices.
Example
She is a seasoned teacher with over 20 years of experience.
C1 noun /ˈɛn.kleɪv/

enclave

Meaning
a distinct area or group enclosed within a larger one
Example
The city has a small Italian enclave where traditions are preserved.
C1 noun /ˌvaɪ.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

viability

Meaning
Ability to work successfully; feasibility.
Example
The viability of the project depends on funding.
C1 adjective /pɜːrt/

pert

Meaning
attractively lively or cheeky in manner or style
Example
She gave a pert reply that made everyone laugh.
C1 noun/verb /ɪˈstiːm/

esteem

Meaning
Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
Example
She is held in high esteem by her colleagues.
C1 noun /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/

serendipity

Meaning
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Finding that old photo album was pure serendipity.
C1 noun /əˈfɪn.ɪ.ti/

affinity

Meaning
A natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.
Example
She has an affinity for classical music.
C1 noun /ˈmiːknəs/

Meekness

Meaning
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive
Example
His meekness was often mistaken for weakness by his colleagues.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪm.zɪ.kəl/

Whimsical

Meaning
playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
Example
The artist created whimsical sculptures that delighted children.
C1 noun /ˈwɪmzi/

whimsy

Meaning
playful or fanciful behavior or humor
Example
Her stories were full of whimsy and imagination.
C1 adjective əʊˈpeɪk

opaque

Meaning
Not able to be seen through; not transparent; difficult to understand.
Example
The glass was too opaque to see through.
C1 adjective ˈfjuː.taɪl

futile

Meaning
Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
Example
His attempts to change the situation were futile.
C1 verb /ʌnˈrævəl/

unravel

Meaning
To undo twisted or knitted threads; to solve or explain something complicated.
Example
The detective worked hard to unravel the mystery.
C1 adverb /əˈfrɛʃ/

afresh

Meaning
From the beginning, in a new way.
Example
After the failure, they started the project afresh.
C1 adjective /ˈpəʊ.tənt/

Potent

Meaning
having great strength, power, or effect; influential
Example
The medicine is very potent and should be taken carefully.
C1 noun /ədˈhɪərənt/

adherent

Meaning
a person who supports or follows a particular belief, cause, or leader
Example
He is a strong adherent of democratic values.
C1 verb /præns/

prance

Meaning
To move with high, springy steps, often to show off or attract attention.
Example
The horse pranced around the field gracefully.
C1 noun/verb ˈpɪv.ət

pivot

Meaning
A significant change in business strategy or direction.
Example
The company decided to pivot its business strategy.
C1 noun /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.tɪv/

locomotive

Meaning
A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains.
Example
The old steam locomotive was restored for the museum.
C1 adjective /steɪd/

staid

Meaning
Serious, respectable, and unadventurous.
Example
He came from a staid family background.